This article is the fourth in our series with BroadReach Healthcare on HIV and Aids.
Risky sexual activities
Certain sexual behaviours put you at greater risk of becoming infected with HIV than others. Below are some of these sexual activities, together with tips on how to practise safer sex.
Potentially risky sexual activities
Anal sex: If people choose to have anal sex, they are advised to use a condom. Most of the time, condoms work well. But condoms are more likely to break during anal sex than during vaginal sex. A person should use generous amounts of water-based lubricant in addition to the condom to reduce the chances of the condom breaking.
Dry sex: This sexual practice is fairly common in sub-Saharan Africa. Women use substances such as herbs, powders, lemon juice, snuff and newspapers to tighten and dry their vaginas before sex, because it is believed to give pleasure to the man. This activity is unsafe and is not encouraged, especially if a condom is not used. Dry sex makes a woman more prone to becoming infected because it is likely to cause small cuts and tears in her vagina.
Sex during menstruation: It is advisable to avoid sex during menstruation or to use a condom correctly each time. This is because the risk of HIV transmission from female to male is two to three times higher during menstruation.
Intergenerational sex (sex between older men and younger women): It is common in some sub-Saharan African countries for women and girls to engage in intergenerational sex. In South Africa, young girls are more commonly becoming infected with HIV through unprotected sex with older men, rather than through boys nearer their own age group.
Low-risk sexual activities
Open-mouth kissing/deep kissing: HIV is not transmitted casually, so kissing on the cheek is very safe. Deep kissing is considered a very low-risk activity for the transmission of HIV. But over a long period of time, if the person is living with HIV, the virus could pass from the infected person to another and enter the body through cuts or sores in the mouth. Sometimes there are cuts and tears in the mouth that cannot be seen with the naked eye. But deep kissing is generally a safe activity.
Mutual masturbation (stimulating each other’s sexual organs without penetration): As long as there are no open wounds on the hands or genitals, there is no HIV risk associated with mutual masturbation.
Oral sex
It is possible for either a man or a woman to become infected with HIV through performing or receiving oral sex. To reduce your risk of infection, always use a latex barrier (such as a natural rubber latex sheet, a dental dam or a cut-open condom that makes a square) between your mouth and your partner’s vagina, penis or anus.
What else can I do to prevent HIV transmission?
Prevention of Mother-to-Child Transmission (PMTCT): Mother-to-child transmission is when an HIV-positive woman passes the virus to her baby. This can occur during pregnancy, labour and delivery, or breastfeeding. But there are ways to reduce the risk of the baby becoming infected with HIV. By enrolling in a local PMTCT programme at a clinic and adhering to the ARV treatment, the mother dramatically increases her chances of giving birth to an HIV-negative baby.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP): PEP means taking antiretroviral treatments (ARVs) as soon as possible after exposure to HIV to try to stop you becoming infected after the virus has entered your body. In South Africa, PEP medicine is given to healthcare workers exposed to HIV and also to rape victims.